Alief - Westwood
Alief-Westwood Complete Communities
Hello Community,
The final plan is here: Alief-Westwood Action Plan.
WHAT ARE COMPLETE COMMUNITIES?
Complete Communities works to improve Houston’s historically underserved neighborhoods by enhancing quality services and amenities by attracting private capital investment. The Complete Communities approach involves working closely with the residents of communities to understand their needs, identify new and existing community projects and opportunities, and facilitate opportunities for collaboration with partners across the city. Welcome to Houston Complete Communities (houstoncc.org)
What's happening in the community?
Keeping Alief Green
Barbara Quattro, President of the Alief Super Neighborhood, was honored with resolutions by Harris County and The City of Houston. These are well deserved, given Barbara's never-ending volunteer work, the most significant effort spearheading the planting of 10,000 trees over the last 20 years in the Alief Neighborhood. Barbara is a reminder to all who encounter her that we each have a responsibility to give more than we take. She says, “One person can’t do everything, but everyone can do something to improve the neighborhood.”
December 2023
PLAN + PREPARE 2024
Alief Super Neighborhood Council
The Alief Neighborhood Center is officially open! The Alief Super Neighborhood Council (ASNC) has actively worked since its inception (June 2000) to get this multi-service center and will change Alief! If you want to be part of improving Alief, sign up to join!
Aliefsuperneigborhood.org
Meetings: Fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm
Alief Neighborhood Center, 11903 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77072
Free Basic ESL Classes at Chancellor Elementary
For Adult Chancellor Families & Community Members
Come to the Family Center to sign up for ESL classes associated with Alief ISD. Classes are held Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. For further information, visit the Family Center at Chancellor Elementary at 4350 Boone Rd. Or contact Mrs. Gladys Ofili at 281-983-8318 Ext. 20780
CenterPoint Energy's Agencies in Action Program
Provides...
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You qualify if:
- You are a residential customer of CenterPoint Energy Electric.
- Your home is at least 16 years old.
- Your annual household income qualifies you to meet income guidelines or receive benefits from a public assistance program.
- (SNAP, Medical Assistance or Medicare, Supplemental Security Income, Public Housing, Children’s Health Insurance, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families)
GIVE US A CALL! (855-751-6432) or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/AgenciesinAction
Let’s Keep Alief Lit
Urban Forestry has begun servicing streetlights and overgrown tree canopies in District F. In some cases, the trees are blocking the streetlights. In other cases, the streetlights are out or are too dim. We need your help to identify additional areas of concern. To submit a service request form for your street, please use the link: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id or DistrictF@houstontx.gov.
-November 2023
ALL LIGHTS ON, HOUSTON!
- If there is tree canopy near street lighting, you can report this request to (http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/forestry/urbanforestry.html)
- To report a city tree that needs pruning or to request a tree removal permit, contact the Urban Forestry section by calling 311 or visit the 311 Houston Service Center online at www.houston311.org to submit your request.
- How to use 311 to report: http://www.houstontx.gov/311/images/311-portal-overview.mp4
- Outage Tracker (http://gis.centerpointenergy.com/outagetracker/) for current electric outage information.
For more information on how to report light poles that are out or need maintenance, request a new light pole, and report tree canopy, please utilize the video below with CenterPoint, Public Works, and Urban Forestry. Thank you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkBFT-4zLbI
HOT Team
The HOT Team assists with picking up scattered debris, removing heavy trash, tree waste, and illegal dumping, and handling specific landscaping issues. All requests for assistance from the HOT Team should be submitted via 311. The HOT Team makes pickups according to the following schedule:
1st Thursday - Sharpstown
2nd Thursday - St. George, Gulfton, and Richmond Plaza South
3rd Thursday - Braeburn Area
4th Thursday - Alief/Westwood
Let's keep our communities beautiful and clean by reporting illegal dumping to the HOT Team!
LISC Houston launched the Small Grants program in 2015 with a focus on making a direct impact within neighborhoods and bringing communities together. Since the inception of this program, now entering its eighth year, over 52,000 participants have organized 100s of projects that leveraged millions towards community building in Houston’s under-resourced neighborhoods. Through this initiative, we strongly encourage 501c3 and 501c4 groups and organizations to work with your community stakeholders and civic leaders to develop and submit project ideas between $500-$5,000 focused on community organizing, strengthening civic engagement, and addressing issues connected to Houston’s GO Neighborhoods five pillars.
Please visit the website to learn more: https://www.lisc.org/houston/what-we-do/community-development/small-grants/
Houston Toolbank
The Houston ToolBank is a nonprofit that provides fellow not-for-profit and community-focused organizations year-round access to an inventory of tools and equipment for use in projects, programs, and events. We provide tools to enhance the charitable sector’s capacity to serve, scale, and facilitate hands-on volunteerism. Access to ToolBank tools eliminates the need for agencies to incur the expense of purchasing, insuring, repairing, and storing tools, reducing the costs associated with service projects and allowing these agencies to focus more resources on their mission. We have a warehouse of 299 tool types and more than 15,000 tools, from essential items like shovels and hammers to oversized ticket items like generators, pressure washers, and high-quality power tools. To support the evolving needs of our community partners, we have added event equipment like a portable riser, folding tables and chairs, and lawn games. We have begun formalizing school partnerships and disaster programs.
Organizations can sign up to become ToolBank members at our website. www.houstontoolbank.org
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Fall Events 2023
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September 23-30
Houston Bird Week is a celebration of Houston's important role in the journey of billions of migratory birds and the everyday lives of our resident birds. In addition to Houston's vital location along the Gulf of Mexico, the growing popularity of planting native plants, restoring prairies, bird-friendly education programs, and Houston's Lights Out for Birds program were among the many efforts and programs that gained Houston the Bird City designation in 2020.
Houston Audubon and local conservation partners arrange a week of virtual and in-person events centered around our region’s birds and wildlife – from birding opportunities and watch parties to trivia, movie night, and more, there's something for all Houstonians to enjoy. Your participation and excitement will help our city continue to be a welcoming home for birds. Keep up with Houston Bird Week on social media using #HoustonBirdWeek and follow them on all social media accounts at @HoustonAudubon.
https://houstonaudubon.org/programs/birdweek/birdweek.html
Building a More Resilient Alief-Westwood Community
Resilience for Communities (R4C) is hosting two community meetings - Monday, Sept. 25, and Thursday, Sept. 28 - held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Alief Multi-Service Center, 11903 Bellaire Blvd. These meetings provide opportunities to share stories about coping with extreme weather. Participants can also share ideas about how best to invest $125,000 into creating a stronger, more resilient community.
Contact Jordana Vasquez at jvasquez@r-cities.org for more information.
Read more about the Alief-Westwood community resilience challenges and ongoing efforts on the Resilient Cities Network website.International District 2023 Fall Festival
Let's kick off the fall with free family fun hosted by the International District on October 14 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at 8409 ½ Dairy View. The festival will have many activities for your family to enjoy. There will be a costume contest for all ages, a petting zoo, games, face painting, and more.
Hispanic Heritage Month: Hispanic Business Summit
When: October 11, 2023, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT
Where: Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002
Join the U.S. Small Business Administration, Houston Christian University (HCU), Baker Ripley and Impact Hub for the annual Hispanic Business Summit. The event will include networking, information about the impact of Latino entrepreneurship in Houston, small business success stories, and a panel of lenders for tips on accessing business capital. Attendees will also have an opportunity to network with other business owners and local business resources!
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT IS HELD ENTIRELY IN SPANISH
Únase a la Administración de Pequeñas Empresas (SBA), la Universidad Cristiana de Houston (HCU), Baker Ripley e Impact Hub para la Cumbre empresarial hispana anual. El evento incluirá información sobre el impacto del espíritu empresarial latino en Houston, historias de éxito de pequeñas empresas y un panel de prestamistas para obtener consejos sobre cómo acceder al capital empresarial. ¡Los asistentes también tendrán la oportunidad de relacionarse con otros propietarios de negocios y recursos comerciales locales.
Biketoberfest
When: October 26, 2023, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm CDT
Where: ION Plaza, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002
Celebrate fall in Houston on Thursday, October 26, from 5 – 8 PM with a coordinated bike ride with BikeHouston and a happy hour on the Ion Plaza. This 7-mile ride through Midtown, Downtown, and the Museum District will start and end at the Ion’s taproom, Second Draught, with live music on the plaza provided by The Slags.
This event is free, but registration is required at the link below. Any option to donate when registering is available, and the proceeds go back to local non-profits BikeHouston, Bunker Labs, and HTX4Ukraine.
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Alief Teen Program Engages Youth
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The Alief Community Center Teen Program takes place in July and August, every day from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Alief Park, 11903 Bellaire Blvd. Come for entertaining activities each evening.
Key information about the Alief Community Center Teen Program:
- Invites all teens, ages 14 to 18 years old.
- Registration is required - no registration fee.
- Be a mentor, coach, chaperone on field trips and a great role model for our AEP kids.
- Learn life and social skills to be a more productive member of your community and neighborhood.
- Learn non-violent methods to resolve problems.
- Network with other teens and community members
- Volunteer hours will be documented for your high school requirement.
- Be a leader.
Please note that Alief Teen Program is at no cost. Registration is required.
Contact: Steve Keo - Alief Recreation Facility Manager
Email: steve.keo2@houstontx.gov
Phone: 832-395-7075
For more info, visit https://www.houstonparks.org
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Summer Arts & Crafts Show
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Are you a crafter/artist? Call 832-526-0125 to reserve your spot for the Summer Arts & Crafts Show Saturday, August 19, at the Alief Neighborhood Center!
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Recent events: April & May
Share Recent events: April & May on Facebook Share Recent events: April & May on Twitter Share Recent events: April & May on Linkedin Email Recent events: April & May linkTurnaround Houston Job Fair 2023
The City of Houston hosted Turnaround Houston Job and Readiness Fair on Thursday, April 27. The event, held by The City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity, in partnership with Councilmember Tiffany Thomas, District F, and Workforce Solutions, took place at the Alief Community Center Gymnasium. It is part of the Turnaround Houston initiative by Mayor Sylvester Turner in 2016 to help Houstonians overcome barriers to employment.
District F Deed Restriction Workshop
CALLING ALL HOAs
This was your opportunity to hear from the Law Office of Rice & Rice regarding deed restriction updates, tips on enforcing covenants, changing your deed, and architectural guidelines. Frost Bank was present to provide tips to protect yourself from contractor fraud and estate planning resources such as deeds upon death.
DISTRICT F COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR
District F hosted its Community Health Fair that provided free screenings: Cholesterol, Blood pressure, Diabetes, Women's health, Behavioral health, Dental health, and Weight loss. Find out your health state by getting these screenings done.
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Forum Park Ribbon Cutting
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The Westwood community is excited about its new park improvements. On Saturday, March 11, Houston Parks Board and 50/50 Partners, Houston Parks and Recreation, Mayor Sylvester Turner, and GH Partnership celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Forum Park. The day was filled with love and laughter as children played soccer on the brand-new mini-pitch, and community members spoke about the importance of the 50/50 Park Project and its impacts on the Houston community. Thank you again to all the community members and stakeholders who attended the listening sessions to help make these park improvements come to reality. -
Harwin Park Improvements Celebration
Share Harwin Park Improvements Celebration on Facebook Share Harwin Park Improvements Celebration on Twitter Share Harwin Park Improvements Celebration on Linkedin Email Harwin Park Improvements Celebration linkThank you to all the community members who provided input on the park at our Community Listening Session and for providing feedback in the 2021 survey. Based on community suggestions and available funding, the improvements at Harwin Park include added lighting, a new picnic pavilion, a new exercise station, improved walkways, and a new playground. Special thanks to our 50/50 Park Partner, Community Health Choice, for their commitment to supporting long-term stewardship and engagement for this park.
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Alief Neighborhood Center Grand Opening
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Starting the new year with a new center!
Please join Mayor Sylvester Turner for Alief Neighborhood Center grand opening. There will be food, music and activities so come out on
Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 11:00am to 2:00pm at 11903 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, Texas 77072
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Alief Is Getting LIT
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Lead Planner Bennie Chambers III with the Community & Regional Planning Division and District F partnered together for a street light field trip to survey the community. “The All Lights On, Houston!” campaign was launched in December 2021 to educate communities on how to report light poles that are out or need maintenance, to request a new light pole, and to report tree canopy.
Public safety is more than police. It's also about how we create safe public spaces. As for many of us know streetlights are a critical amenity. They make residents feel safer and more comfortable.
District F shared a survey in their newsletter and your results included a few more known locations. Here's what we are learning:
- Cook between Alief Clodine to Bissonnett is DARK.
- Wellington Park has tree canopies that need to be trimmed and very limited lighting in the area.
- High Star from Cook to Wilcrest has tree canopies that need to be trimmed.
- Meadowcroft to Buttercup needs lighting too.
- Harwin Park has very limited lighting and the lighting that exists is dim.
If you have a street light recommendation buzz districtf@houstontx.gov or Bennie.ChambersIII@houstontx.govIt's LIT in District F (or will be). -
Designing for Impact
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Thank you all for your time and commitment to the Designing for Impact series. Over 400 people and 12 design teams participated at these meetings to facilitate the dreams, needs, and priorities of the Houston Complete Communities. In the case you were unable to attend or participate, we welcome you to review the recommendations by viewing: Designing for Impact: Part 1 and Part 2.• Alief-Westwood (1) / Corgan (Part 1, 23:44)
• Alief-Westwood (2) / PGAL (Part 2, 37:11)
The City of Houston is exceptionally grateful for the engagement of AIA Houston and the Houston Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) to have provided implementation strategies of the Complete Communities Action Plans. The ownership, use, and copies of the presentations and submitted designs are reserved and retained by AIA Houston and the City of Houston’s Complete Communities. However, the collaborative effort and work is not done.Complete Communities focuses on capital projects and strategic programming that eliminate structural barriers and improve the quality of life for Houston’s most vulnerable populations, and the presentations made on April 24, 2021, supported the work to attract new development and expand resources throughout the neighborhoods.
Planner
Bennie Chambers III
City Planner
City of Houston - Planning & Development Department
Community & Regional Planning Division
Phone: 832.393.6636
Review the Alief-Westwood Action Plan
City of Houston Disaster Preparedness Guide
The City of Houston Disaster Preparedness Guide (DPG) is updated annually and provides information about emergency planning to Houston residents.
The Guide is available in six languages for download: Click here for the guide: COH-DPG2020.pdf
Community Resources-Presentations
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This virtual meeting provided residents with the tools and resources to combat food insecurities, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
Action Plan: Expand access to preventative healthcare ACTION STEPS: Partner with health providers and organizations to raise awareness regarding the importance of wellness and methods for attaining and maintaining wellness, Expand community gardens ACTION STEPS: Identify sites and vacant lots for new gardens or urban farms; Identify policy barriers to urban farming, Expand amenities at existing community gardens ACTION STEPS: Identify needs at existing sites, like Ecotone, Blodgett Urban Gardens and Alabama Gardens; Improvements might include electricity, lighting, wash stations, outdoor kitchens, fencing, seating; identify partners for funding and implementation of improvements; Connect local gardeners and growers with farmers markets or develop farm stands in the community.
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If you want to learn how to preserve your neighborhood's established character. Special Minimum Lot Size, Special Minimum Building Line, and Prohibited Yard Parking Ordinances.
Do you have more questions? Call us at 832-393-6600, or visit us online at https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Min-Lot_Size-Min_Bldg_Line.html.
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For more information on how to report light poles that are out or need maintenance, request a new light pole, and report tree canopy, please utilize the video with CenterPoint, Public Works, and Urban Forestry.
Action Plan: Improve Street Lighting ACTION STEPS: Work in partnership with Code Enforcement, who is surveying area streetlights, reporting broken lights, and working with CenterPoint for repair; Civic leaders should also report streetlight outages to Code Enforcement or CenterPoint; Install new lighting in areas that are not well-lit.
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Learn more at ProtectOurPipes.org.
